Archaeologists in central Pompeii have uncovered a two-part cupboard that still held its contents when Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, Spektrum der Wissenschaft reports in German. The wood itself rotted away and left only its imprint in the volcanic deposit, but the shelves were still sorted: tableware of clay, bronze and glass, coins, weights, cosmetic tools and pendants. Looters had tunnelled in long ago, probably for metal. Among the pendants are small figures of deities and hand and foot charms, which researchers think formed a child's protective amulet.

Alongside temples and official cults, Romans relied on small household objects to keep danger away. Looking at such folk religion shows how ordinary, practical and anxious much religious behaviour has always been.

Source: Karin Schlott, Spektrum der Wissenschaft (German) (2026-11-02)

Summarised by the FTI newsdesk.